Reduction of jet engine smoke emissions by contacting jet fuel with a carbon molecular sieve adsorbent

Abstract

The present invention is a process for reducing the smoke emissions from a jet fuel engine by combusting a jet fuel range hydrocarbon in a jet engine wherein prior to combusting the jet fuel in the engine the jet fuel is treated by the following process: (a) contacting the jet fuel with at least one adsorbent in at least one adsorbent bed under suitable process conditions such that the smoke point of the jet fuel is increased and (b) recovering the jet fuel.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A process for reducing the smoke emissions from a jet fuel engine comprising combusting a jet fuel range hydrocarbon in a jet engine wherein prior to combusting the jet fuel in the engine the jet fuel is treated by a process consisting essentially of: (a) contacting the jet fuel with a carbon molecular sieve adsorbent at a liquid hourly space velocity between about 0.5 and 30, ambient pressure, and at a temperature between about 30° F. and 800° F. in at least one adsorbent bed under suitable process conditions such that the smoke point of the jet fuel is increased; and   (b) recovering the jet fuel.   
     
     
       2. The process according to claim 1 wherein the jet fuel is contacted with the adsorbent at a temperature between about 50° F. and 200° F.